Chocolate without dairy used to feel like a compromise. Not anymore. Vegan bars now run the spectrum from silky oat milk to punchy single-origin dark, from allergen-safe chips for cookies to glossy truffles fit for gifting. You can grab them at supermarkets, corner stores, or a few clicks away. If you care about taste, ethics, and ingredient lists that make sense, there are standouts worth your attention.
Below is a guide to trusted brands, why they’re special, and where to find them, along with quick pointers for different diets and baking needs.
What makes chocolate vegan
Traditional chocolate contains cocoa solids, cocoa butter, sugar, and often milk. Vegan chocolate keeps the first three and skips the dairy. Some bars add plant milk for creaminess, usually oat, almond, or coconut. Others stick to pure dark.
Two label tips help a lot:
- Cocoa butter is naturally dairy free. Despite the word butter, it’s a fat pressed from cocoa beans.
- Sugar can be an issue in the United States when filtered with bone char. Certified organic sugar avoids that processing. Fairtrade and some direct trade brands also specify vegan-friendly sugar.
Ingredient red flags:
- Milk powder, whey, casein, butterfat, ghee
- Confectioner’s glaze (rare in chocolate, common in candies)
- Natural flavors that include dairy. Reputable vegan brands will call out when flavors are plant based.
Allergy notices like may contain milk reflect shared equipment. If that’s a concern, stick with brands using dedicated dairy-free facilities.
Styles you’ll see in store and online
- Classic dark bars: 60 to 100 percent cacao with clean, short labels.
- Oat milk and coconut milk bars: creamy texture with a gentle sweetness.
- Nutty praline or gianduja: hazelnut pastes create a melt-in-your-mouth profile.
- Filled bars and truffles: nut butters, caramels, and fruit. Vegan versions use coconut milk, oat milk, or nut pastes.
- Baking chocolate and chips: from semisweet to extra dark, plus white-style vegan options.
Brands that impress right now
Hu Kitchen
Hu made a name with short ingredient lists and bold flavor. No refined sugar, no soy lecithin, no palm oil. Coconut sugar provides a gentle sweetness, and the bars snap cleanly, which signals good tempering and fat balance.
Standout picks: Salty Dark Chocolate, Cashew Butter, Simple Dark 70 percent.
Diet notes: Vegan, paleo friendly, grain free, soy free.
Where to buy: Whole Foods, Sprouts, Thrive Market, Amazon, Hu’s website.
Raaka
Brooklyn-based Raaka works with unroasted cacao, which preserves delicate fruit and tea notes. The bars taste adventurous without feeling gimmicky. Think Pink Sea Salt, Bourbon Cask Aged, and seasonal small batches.
Diet notes: Vegan, soy free. Many bars are organic. Direct trade relationships are front and center.
Where to buy: Specialty markets, natural grocers, Raaka’s website, Amazon.
Theo Chocolate
Seattle’s original organic bean-to-bar darling. Theo’s dark bars deliver balanced cocoa flavor and smart price points for an organic brand. The brand also runs factory tours if you’re nearby.
Standout picks: Pure Dark 70 percent, Black Rice Quinoa Crunch, mint or orange infused dark.
Diet notes: Many dark bars are vegan. Always check labels, as seasonal items may add dairy. Organic and fair trade cocoa.
Where to buy: Major grocers, co-ops, Target, Amazon, Theo’s website.
Endangered Species Chocolate
Approachable flavors, clear certifications, and a mission tied to wildlife conservation. The new oat milk line feels creamy with no dairy, and their classic dark bars are pantry staples.
Standout picks: Oat Milk Sea Salt Almonds, 88 percent Extreme Dark, Raspberry in Dark.
Diet notes: Many bars are vegan and gluten free. All bars are Non GMO. They donate a share of profits to conservation work.
Where to buy: Kroger family stores, Whole Foods, Fresh Thyme, Amazon, ESC’s website.
Alter Eco
If you want organic cocoa with thoughtful sourcing and a satisfying snap, Alter Eco’s deep dark lineup fits the bill. The 85 and 90 percent bars are rich without harsh bitterness.
Standout picks: Super Blackout 90 percent, Deep Dark Blackout 85 percent.
Diet notes: Organic, fair trade, climate-focused farming programs. Confirm vegan on each flavor, as filled truffles usually contain dairy.
Where to buy: Whole Foods, natural markets, Thrive Market, Vitacost, Amazon.
Pascha
Allergen safety is the big story here. Pascha uses a dedicated facility free from top allergens and offers a wide range of cocoa percentages, baking chips, and no sugar added options.
Standout picks: 85 percent and 100 percent bars, 55 percent semisweet chips, zero sugar bars sweetened with stevia and erythritol.
Diet notes: Vegan, organic, non GMO, top allergen free. Great for nut free homes and school-safe baking.
Where to buy: Amazon, iHerb, Vitacost, Pascha’s website, select natural grocers.
Enjoy Life
The household name for allergen-friendly chocolate chips and mini bars. Not the most gourmet flavor profile, but reliable, safe, and consistent in baking.
Standout picks: Mini chips, mega chunks, ricemilk crunch bars.
Diet notes: Free from 14 common allergens, vegan, gluten free. Made in dedicated facilities.
Where to buy: Major supermarkets, Target, Walmart, Amazon.
Evolved Chocolate
A brand that leans into coconut sugar and better-for-you cups and bars. The keto line uses monk fruit and avoids dairy. Textures are creamy, and the flavors stay clean.
Standout picks: Cashew Butter Kups, Almond Sea Salt, Keto Cups.
Diet notes: Dairy free, many products vegan and paleo friendly. Check each item for nuts and sweeteners.
Where to buy: Thrive Market, Whole Foods, Amazon, Evolved’s website.
Vego
If you crave classic gianduja-style chocolate, Vego hits a nostalgic sweet spot. It’s a hefty hazelnut bar with a soft bite and real roasted nut pieces.
Diet notes: Vegan, organic. Contains hazelnuts.
Where to buy: Vegan specialty stores, Amazon, European retailers, select US natural markets.
Tony’s Chocolonely
Tony’s advocates for more equitable cocoa supply chains. The dark range often meets vegan needs, and some regions now carry vegan mylk bars.
Standout picks: Dark Almond Sea Salt, Dark 70 percent, seasonal vegan-labeled bars.
Diet notes: Fairtrade cocoa. Always check the vegan logo, as many milk bars contain dairy and some products share equipment with milk.
Where to buy: Major grocers, World Market, Amazon, Tony’s website.
NOMO
Short for No Missing Out, NOMO targets taste and safety without dairy, eggs, or nuts. The creamy texture mimics milk chocolate nicely.
Standout picks: Caramel, Fruit and Crunch, Hazelnot.
Diet notes: Dairy free, egg free, nut free. Good option for kids or those avoiding multiple allergens.
Where to buy: Widely available in the UK. In the US, shop Amazon and specialty vegan stores.
Moo Free
UK-based and focused on dairy-free fun flavors. While positioned for families, the taste lands for adults too, especially in the white-style and caramel notes.
Diet notes: Vegan, dairy free, many items gluten free. Check labels for soy and nut information.
Where to buy: UK supermarkets, online shops, Amazon. US availability through specialty retailers.
Ombar
Coconut-based creaminess with raw cacao character. Bars are smaller, used more as a treat than a snack. The probiotic line is unique.
Standout picks: Coconut 60 percent, Raspberry and Coconut.
Diet notes: Vegan, organic. Contains coconut.
Where to buy: UK and EU shops, online stores, Amazon. Limited US presence.
Quick comparison
| Brand | Why it stands out | Diet-friendly tags | Typical price per bar | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hu Kitchen | Short labels, coconut sugar, great snap | Vegan, soy free, paleo | 4 to 6 USD | Whole Foods, Thrive, Amazon |
| Raaka | Unroasted cacao, creative flavors | Vegan, often organic, soy free | 6 to 9 USD | Specialty shops, online |
| Theo | Organic, fair trade, balanced dark | Many vegan flavors | 3 to 5 USD | Major grocers, Amazon |
| Endangered Species | Conservation mission, oat milk bars | Vegan options, gluten free | 3 to 4.50 USD | Supermarkets, Amazon |
| Alter Eco | Organic, fair trade, deep dark | Vegan options | 3.50 to 5 USD | Natural markets, online |
| Pascha | Dedicated allergen-free facility | Vegan, organic, top 8 free | 3.50 to 6 USD | Amazon, iHerb, Vitacost |
| Enjoy Life | Allergen-safe baking staples | Vegan, gluten free, top 14 free | 3 to 4 USD | Target, Walmart, Amazon |
| Evolved | Coconut sugar, keto cups | Dairy free, many vegan | 4 to 6 USD | Whole Foods, Thrive, Amazon |
| Vego | Classic hazelnut gianduja feel | Vegan, organic | 5 to 7 USD | Specialty shops, Amazon |
| Tony’s Chocolonely | Ethical mission, bold flavors | Vegan-labeled dark bars | 3 to 5 USD | Major grocers, Amazon |
| NOMO | Milk-style without dairy or nuts | Vegan, nut free | 3 to 4.50 USD | UK retail, Amazon |
| Ombar | Coconut-creamy, raw cacao | Vegan, organic | 4 to 6 USD | EU shops, Amazon |
Prices vary by region and promotions.
Flavor and texture pointers
- Cocoa percentage: 70 percent brings balance. 80 to 90 percent focuses on cocoa nuance and light sweetness. 100 percent is intense and best in small squares or with fruit.
- Sweeteners: Coconut sugar has a caramel hint. Cane sugar keeps flavors bright. Monk fruit or stevia can read slightly cool or fruity, which works better in nut butter cups than pure bars for many palates.
- Emulsifiers: Soy lecithin or sunflower lecithin creates a silkier melt and fewer air bubbles. Brands like Hu avoid emulsifiers and still achieve a nice finish through careful conching.
Diet-specific picks
If you have particular goals, start here.
- Soy free:
- Hu Kitchen
- Raaka
- Pascha
- Nut free:
- Enjoy Life
- Pascha
- NOMO
- Gluten free:
- Most plain dark bars qualify, but for dedicated facilities choose Pascha or Enjoy Life.
- No sugar added or low sugar:
- Pascha Zero Sugar bars
- Evolved Keto Cups
- 100 percent cacao bars from Pascha or Lindt Excellence 100 percent cocoa (check label for facility info)
- Organic only:
- Theo, Alter Eco, Pascha, Raaka, Ombar, Hu (many flavors)
- Palm oil avoiders:
- Hu, Raaka, Theo, Pascha, Alter Eco dark bars
- Kosher and halal:
- Several brands carry third-party certifications. Check the individual bar for symbols.
Ethical sourcing and transparency
Cocoa supply chains matter. If you care about fair pay and traceability, keep an eye out for:
- Organic certification, which also helps with the sugar question.
- Fairtrade or direct trade labels.
- Public sourcing reports and partner lists.
- Programs for agroforestry and climate resilience.
Standout efforts:
- Tony’s Chocolonely champions living income and publishes an annual impact report.
- Alter Eco invests in regenerative agriculture and reforestation.
- Raaka and Theo share detailed sourcing notes and farmer partnerships.
No label tells the full story by itself, but multiple signals together build confidence.
Baking and cooking with vegan chocolate
Your cookies, ganache, and hot cocoa will thank you.
- Chips vs bars: Chips often contain less cocoa butter so they hold shape in cookies. For smoother sauces or ganache, chop a bar with higher cocoa butter content.
- Tempered shine: If you want glossy chocolate-dipped strawberries, choose bars and temper carefully instead of using chips.
- White-style chocolate: Look for oat or rice milk-based white bars for blondies or drizzle. Moo Free and Enjoy Life have versions that melt well.
Reliable picks:
- Enjoy Life mini chips for muffins and school snacks.
- Pascha semisweet or extra dark chips for cookies and brownies.
- Hu bars for shaved chocolate toppings and ganache.
Label reading like a pro
A minute with the wrapper saves headaches later.
- Ingredient order: Short and clear is better. Cocoa mass or liquor, cocoa butter, sugar, flavor inclusions like almonds or salt, and maybe lecithin.
- Vegan icon: Many brands add a vegan logo for quick scanning.
- Allergen statement: If you need strict dairy-free, look for dedicated facilities or explicit statements about no shared equipment.
- Sugar source: Organic sugar solves the bone-char question. If it matters to you, look for organic certification or contact the brand.
Where to buy and how to save
- Supermarkets: Whole Foods, Sprouts, Kroger family stores, Target, and regional co-ops carry Hu, Theo, Alter Eco, Endangered Species, and Tony’s.
- Online: Brand websites often run bundles and limited flavors. Amazon, Thrive Market, Vitacost, and iHerb are convenient for refills and price checking.
- Specialty shops: Vegan markets and bean-to-bar boutiques carry Raaka, Vego, Ombar, and small-batch makers.
- Tips for deals:
- Subscribe to newsletters for seasonal launches and sales.
- Buy multipacks to reduce per-bar cost.
- Check the best-by date on deep discounts. Chocolate lasts, but old stock can bloom or lose aroma.
Pairing ideas that make a square feel special
- Bright dark chocolate with citrus: 70 to 80 percent bars next to orange slices or grapefruit.
- Oat milk chocolate and coffee: The cereal notes in oat pair nicely with medium-roast drip coffee.
- Hazelnut bars and pears: That classic Nutella vibe goes next level with fresh fruit.
- 85 to 90 percent and toasted nuts: Almonds or pecans soften the intensity.
- Coconut-based bars with pineapple or mango: Tropical flavors play well together.
A few quick picks by scenario
- New to vegan chocolate and want a sure win: Endangered Species Oat Milk Sea Salt Almonds.
- Seeking a clean, high-cacao bar: Alter Eco Super Blackout 90 percent or Pascha 85 percent.
- Allergen-safe lunchbox treat: Enjoy Life Ricemilk Chocolate mini bars.
- Coffee break treat with a twist: Raaka Pink Sea Salt.
- Late-night square with zero sugar: Pascha 100 percent or their Zero Sugar line.
- Gift-worthy set: Hu variety pack or a Raaka subscription box.
Common questions
What’s the difference between cacao and cocoa on labels?
- Cacao often refers to less processed beans and nibs or marketing language for higher purity. Cocoa usually refers to processed powder or mass. In bars, you’ll see cocoa mass or chocolate liquor, which both mean ground roasted beans.
Is white chocolate ever vegan?
- Yes. Look for bars using oat milk, rice milk, or coconut milk plus cocoa butter and sugar. Avoid any mention of milk powder or whey.
Why do some vegan bars taste chalky?
- Low cocoa butter content, overuse of fiber additives, or sweeteners that crystallize can cause a grainy bite. Premium brands manage fat ratios and conching time to keep the texture smooth.
How should I store chocolate?
- Cool, dry, and away from strong odors. Aim for 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. A sealed container helps prevent odor absorption and moisture. If you refrigerate in summer, let the bar come to room temperature before opening to avoid condensation.
Can I trust may contain milk labels?
- That phrase warns of shared equipment or facility risks. If traces concern you, choose brands with dedicated dairy-free facilities like Pascha or Enjoy Life.
Smart shopping checklist
- Look for a vegan logo and organic sugar.
- Keep an eye on cocoa percentage based on your taste.
- Match the bar to the moment: oat milk for creamy cravings, 70 percent for daily snacking, 85 percent for slow savoring.
- For allergies, pick dedicated facilities.
- Check sourcing claims if ethics matter to you.
- Try two or three brands side by side. Small tastings reveal your preferences quickly.
The plant-based chocolate shelf is now crowded with real quality. A little label reading, a short list of trustworthy names, and your pantry will be set for quick treats, baking projects, and gifts that never disappoint.